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T O P I C R E V I E W

LM1

SPIKE TV's new series Thrift Hunters is devoted to the art of thrift shopping. One recent episode featured a large framed photo of a Titan rocket launch with signatures and comments on the mat surrounding the photo. This item is one of many items from the show that are listed on eBay.

LM1

I am surprised and disappointed that there is no collectSPACE member who can identify the rocket shown in this photo or identify the signers. The seller has posted more photos of the signatures.

Robert Pearlman

The rocket appears to be a Titan IIIC, which was mostly used to launch Department of Defense payloads.

The presentation is a retirement gift from co-workers, who signed the matte.

MCroft04

Titan IIIC or IIIE? I only ask because of the apparent enlarged upper portion of the rocket.

Robert Pearlman

IIIC; if you look at the eBay auction, there is a close shot of the upper stage.

On edit: I'm told it could also be a Titan 34D.

fredtrav

It definitely looks like a 34D.

LM1

The item sold for a Buy It Now price of $103.99.

LM1

Apparently, the buyer did not pay for the item. It has been re-listed (191122841690) for $100 with free shipping.

JBoe

Does anyone know or recognize any of the signatures?

LM1

If this is a Titan IIIC, it was made by Martin Co. of Santa Ana, CA and had 31 successful launches 1965-1982. If it is a Titan 34D, it was made by Martin Marietta Co. and it had 12 successful launches 1982-1989.

The person who was given this signed photo probably retired in the late 1980s. He probably would have displayed it proudly in his home. If it was given to a thrift shop in Las Vegas (where Mr. Bigfoot purchased it), the owner has probably passed.

So, the previous owner of this framed photo was probably employed by Martin Marietta.

I have enlarged the photos from the eBay posting and I was able to read a few of the names: Sid Tolbert, Ron Perlman, Bob Kimak, Dick Freed, Nick Poe, Bob Adcock, Ken Thompson, Dick Seamans, Rick "Bubba" Hatfield, Dudley McLubbin... It is difficult to read some of the signatures.

If this photo can be identified as to its owner, it would add to its value.

I am sure that there are cS members out there who have employee directories for Martin Marietta who could identify this mysterious photo.

Robert Pearlman

quote:Originally posted by LM1:If this photo can be identified as to its owner, it would add to its value.

Perhaps, but unless the individual made some notable mark on history, then probably not by much. The same goes for those who signed.

Yes, they (likely) worked for an aerospace company, but they aren't any different from the coworkers at any large company.

Frankly, the fact that it appeared on TV is probably more noteworthy than anything associated with the piece itself. I could be wrong, but I see very little value in this piece (and certainly less than the $100 asking price).

LM1

Perhaps you are right about its value. I am more interested in the attempt to identify the origins of the item. The value will be determined by eBay bidders. We have already established that it is probably a Martin-Marietta Titan 34D. That information can be added to the description.

LM1

Many new photos of the signatures have been added to the listing. Apparently, the first name of the original owner is Beryl.

The new photos are at the bottom of the listing.

LM1

If this is a Titan 34D launch, there were only 12 successful launches from 1982 to 1989. Is it possible for any cS member to identify the satellite that is being launched and therefore the date of the launch?